Senior leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami have become embroiled in a fresh war of words after BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi accused Jamaat of providing shelter to what he described as “covert extortionists” while publicly portraying itself as morally superior to other political parties.
Speaking at a discussion meeting in Dhaka on Sunday, Rizvi alleged that several Jamaat leaders had been implicated in extortion and other financial irregularities, arguing that the party could not claim to be free from wrongdoing while criticizing others on the same issue.
The remarks came during a discussion titled “Sangskritik Agrashon Protirodhe Zia” (Zia and Resistance to Cultural Aggression), organized by the Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JaSaS) at the National Press Club to commemorate the 45th martyrdom anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman.
According to Rizvi, reports published in newspapers have linked several Jamaat leaders to allegations involving sand extraction from the Feni River and financial dealings related to legal cases.
“They are making big claims, saying extortion has been carried out over the telephone. But they should look at themselves first,” Rizvi said.
Citing examples, he alleged that two Jamaat leaders in Mirsharai had been caught while extracting sand from the Feni River and that a Jamaat Rukon member in Feni had reportedly taken money from individuals by promising to arrange acquittals in legal cases.
“These incidents have been reported in newspapers. I have mentioned only one or two examples. That means Jamaat provides patronage to such activities,” he said.
Accusations of Double Standards
Rizvi argued that Jamaat presents itself as a party guided by religious principles while failing to address misconduct within its own organization.
“They do politics in the name of religion and present themselves as entirely pure,” he said. “Just as they secretly infiltrated the Chhatra League and the Awami League, many covert extortionists have also taken refuge within Jamaat.”
The BNP leader further alleged that Jamaat attempts to conceal extortion through the use of religious terminology.
“You use Arabic words. Instead of calling it extortion, you call it Hadiya or Yanat. You try to cover it up with Arabic terms,” he said. “But you are not involved in these practices any less than others.”
Rizvi claimed that evidence existed in multiple locations showing individuals being pressured or threatened to pay money and suggested that the examples he cited represented only a small portion of a broader problem.
Defending BNP’s Record
A significant part of Rizvi’s speech focused on defending BNP’s response to allegations against its own leaders and activists.
He argued that the real test for political parties is not whether misconduct occurs but whether disciplinary measures are taken against those responsible.
“After Aug. 5, when such incidents occurred within the BNP, our party chairperson and the current prime minister took strong action,” Rizvi said.
According to him, hundreds of BNP leaders and activists were expelled, removed from positions, or served show-cause notices following allegations of misconduct.
“No one was spared—from influential leaders to grassroots activists,” he added.
The BNP leader maintained that Jamaat had also been forced to expel members following media reports and allegations but continued to project an image of moral purity.
“Whenever reports appeared in newspapers, you expelled them. So how did you become angels? How did you become so completely purified?” Rizvi said. “Those who have not been caught are still there within your party.”
Competition Between Opposition Forces
Rizvi’s remarks highlight the increasingly visible competition between BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, two parties that have often found themselves on the same side of Bangladesh’s opposition politics but have also competed for influence among conservative and religiously minded voters.
Political analysts have noted that as Bangladesh’s political landscape continues to evolve, both parties are seeking to strengthen their individual identities and expand their support bases. Allegations involving extortion, corruption, and misuse of political influence have become recurring issues in national political discourse, affecting parties across the ideological spectrum.
While BNP leaders have frequently argued that they have taken disciplinary action against members accused of wrongdoing, rival parties have challenged the effectiveness and consistency of those measures. Similar criticisms have also been directed at Jamaat and other political organizations.
Religion and Politics
Rizvi also used the event to criticize what he described as two opposing tendencies in Bangladeshi politics: the exploitation of religion for political purposes and rhetoric perceived as hostile to religious beliefs.
“You are speaking this way because perhaps you think you may come to power,” he said in reference to Jamaat. “But you have not understood the mindset of the people of this country. The people of Bangladesh are religious, but they do not like Jamaat. They are religious, but they also do not support extreme anti-religious activities.”
The BNP leader argued that Bangladeshis reject both the commercialization of religion and statements that are viewed as disrespectful toward religious practices.
Referring to controversial remarks made years ago by former Awami League minister Abdul Latif Siddique about Hajj and Makkah, Rizvi said the public had strongly rejected those comments.
“People did not accept the comments made by Awami League leader Latif Siddique about Hajj and Makkah,” he said. “At the same time, people have never accepted those who sell religion, trade in faith, and deceive people by selling tickets to heaven.”
Call to Protect Indigenous Culture
The discussion also focused on cultural identity and nationalism, themes closely associated with the political legacy of former President Ziaur Rahman.
Addressing leaders and activists of JaSaS, Rizvi emphasized the importance of preserving and promoting Bangladesh’s indigenous cultural heritage while remaining open to positive influences from abroad.
“I believe JASAS should practise and promote the cultural expressions that emerge from the soil of this country,” he said.
Rizvi stressed that embracing global culture and ideas does not require abandoning local traditions.
“Do we not study world philosophy? Do we not read European philosophy? Do we not listen to good music from Europe and other countries? Of course we do,” he said.
However, he warned against what he described as efforts by foreign powers or outside forces to weaken Bangladesh’s cultural foundations.
“If any foreign power or aggressive force deliberately conspires to destroy the culture rooted in our own soil and weaken our cultural strength, it is the responsibility of nationalist forces and nationalist cultural organizations to resist that effort,” he added.
The comments reflected a broader nationalist message that has long been part of BNP’s political and cultural narrative, emphasizing the protection of Bangladesh’s cultural identity while engaging with the wider world.
